Second-level teacher unions are to ballot members non-cooperation with the new Junior Cycle proposals in March, they announced today.

In a joint statement the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (Asti) and the Teachers' Union of Ireland (Tui) said the would ballot 27,000 teachers next month.

The unions are “objecting to aspects” of the Department of Education’s proposals for the Junior Cycle which they say “pose serious threats to education standards and to the objectivity and transparency of Junior Cycle exams.

Union members are also concerned about the timescale for introducing the proposals and the capacity of schools to bring in the changes with reduced resources.

"Teachers have no confidence in the Junior Cycle reform proposals. Teachers were not consulted before the announcement of these proposals and they believe that several aspects of the proposals are educationally unsound," Asti general secretary Pat King said.

"Teachers demand that public education provision of the highest standard is preserved. We believe that student achievement in the new Junior Cycle must be externally assessed and nationally certified by the State Examinations Commission, " Tui general secretary John MacGabhann said.

The ballot for industrial action will include non-cooperation with aspects of the Junior Cycle as directed by the unions but will not be limited to this. The result of the ballot is to be announced on Match 26th.

Last month , talks between the Department of Education and teachers’ unions aimed at addressing teachers’ concerns ended without progress.

The Junior Cycle reforms are set to be introduced on a phased basis from September.